JUST IN: SDP Expels El-Rufai, Slams 30-Year Ban Over Alleged Forgery, Impersonation

The National Working Committee of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has expelled former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and declared him ineligible to associate with the party in any form for the next 30 years.

The party’s decision was announced on Monday in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Araba Aiyenigba, in Abuja.

According to the statement, El-Rufai was expelled after thorough investigations revealed that he never registered with the SDP at his ward level, as required by the party’s constitution, despite publicly announcing his defection via social media.

“El-Rufai never registered with the SDP at his ward level as required by the party’s constitution, yet falsely declared on social media that he had joined the party,” the statement read.

The former governor was accused of forging membership documents and staging photo opportunities with suspended party leaders to falsely portray himself as a bonafide member of the SDP.

‘He should know better’ — SDP slams ex-governor for impersonation

The party noted that El-Rufai was initially given the benefit of the doubt “given his status as an elderly person, a former Minister and State Governor who should know the implications of false representation and impersonation.”

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However, the party said investigations confirmed that the Kaduna State chapter was right in disowning him. “It turned out that he had not joined the SDP. He failed to register at his ward and was merely promoting the activities of another party,” the statement added.

The SDP further accused El-Rufai of secretly aligning with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) while trying to manipulate the SDP into an unapproved political coalition.

“Having confirmed that he publicly declared for the ADC and continued to act in a manner contrary to the principles and practices of the SDP, the party has no option but to disassociate and excommunicate him,” the statement declared.

As punishment, the party stated that El-Rufai “has been banished and banned from applying to the membership, identifying with the name, insignia, logo, or participating in any affairs of the SDP for a period of 30 years, effective immediately.”

The party also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and relevant authorities to disregard any claims by El-Rufai to membership or representation of the party.

‘He forged documents and self-registered as No. 001’ — SDP

The SDP also revealed that El-Rufai went as far as forging membership documents and claimed the number “001” position in the register of Unguwar Sarki Ward in Kaduna North LGA, ignoring due process.

“Rather than register lawfully with the Ward Executives, this individual simply forged his own documents and self-registered… as if the Ward had no single member prior to his purported joining,” the statement read.

El-Rufai had cited values clash with APC before SDP drama

Recall that El-Rufai recently announced his resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing a growing misalignment between his personal values and the party’s direction. He claimed to have joined the SDP afterward, a move now declared fraudulent by the party.

The SDP reiterated its commitment to internal democracy and lawful political participation, urging Nigerians to follow proper procedures if they wish to join the party.